Resource Flock Overview

The MLA Resource Flock began as the Sheep CRC’s Information Nucleus Flock (INF) in 2007. Over five years, the INF gathered a database of biological and genetic traits by joining 5,000 ewes each year to 100 industry sires.

This has evolved into a reference flock for hard to measure traits such as intramuscular fat, meat quality, tenderness and fatty acid profile. Data is used for ongoing investigation of new traits. As the Resource Flock evolves there will be an increased focus on co-investment with industry groups and individual breeders, utilising data already collected.

Industry Outcomes

Breeding values for eating quality and meat yield developed

Development of eating quality indexes

Development of a single step for meat eating quality ASBVs

Development of single step analysis for other traits is ongoing

Improvement in accuracy of genomic testing

Bio-bank of DNA - assessing the value of full genomic sequence analysis